Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine
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We have to consider the exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) may be caused not only by infection, but also by acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, or other cardiopulmonary complications. Because it is characteristic that the exacerbation of COPD is often recurensive, the most important thing is the administration during stable status. ⋯ Also, approximately 15% is exacerbated by atypical pathogens such as Chlamydia pneumoniae and approximately 30% is by viral infection. We should contemplate the possibility of pathogens according to the statistics, when we choose antibiotics empirically.
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Outbreaks of SARS affected more than 8,400 people, and caused more than 900 deaths worldwide but came to an end in July, 2003. However, the recurrence of SARS epidemics in winter is possible. The symptoms of SARS resemble those of influenza. ⋯ We compared clinical symptoms between SARS and influenza and discussed infection-control measures. Since both SARS and influenza mainly spread by droplet infection, preventive measures against this route are important. In addition, vaccination for influenza and the use of rapid diagnosis kits for influenza are recommended.
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Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been based on the use of myeloablative chemotherapy and radiotherapy conditioning regimens to eradicate malignancy and to eliminate host hematopoiesis and immune cells, but this approach is associated with a high risk of complications. A number of non-myeloablative or reduced-intensity preparative regimens for HSCT(NST or RIST) have been proposed to reduce regimen-related toxicities. ⋯ NST/RIST have been feasible in elderly patients and in patients with organ dysfunction or other comorbidities precluding standard ablative conditioning, however the long-term impact is not yet established. The indication for NST/RIST and the optimal preparative regimen need to be defined for each malignancy in controlled clinical trials.